A Reader’s POV & Must-Reads: ‘Signed’ and ‘Midnight Blue’

A Reader’s POV & Must-Reads: ‘Signed’ and ‘Midnight Blue’

I’ve recently had an exhausting number of late nights in which I’m desperate to stay awake in order to keep reading, and I’m now conditioned to expect sudden whacks to my head when I inevitably nod off and lose my grip on my e-reader. I’ve begun to resent the necessity of sleep and welcome the pain of a book hangover, but I consider the newly formed bruise on my forehead to be a badge of honor, at least until I can grow my bangs out.

Signed is an absorbing and steamy Hollywood romance with a vivid and intense storyline that is easy to imagine on the big screen. Brett Young is a brilliant entertainment agent, who is decisive, sexy, arrogant and under no illusions about himself. He locks eyes with the highly successful and internationally beloved actress James Ryne in a crowded bar, and their chemistry is instantaneous and scorching hot. He isn’t one to waste time on coy statements laced with sexual innuendo, and he confidently declares what he wants in forthright, unambiguous detail. His seduction of James is quick and hypnotic, and they share a fiery night together.

Brett is caught off guard when he can’t stop thinking about her afterward, because he’s never been interested in commitment before. He’s particularly hesitant to pursue more with James because she’s 12 years younger, but the pull between them is relentless and intensifies as they get to know each other through phone calls and texts. Their fledgling intimacy is rattled when James is suddenly and unwillingly embroiled in an explosive scandal, but Brett eventually steps up in a very swoon-worthy fashion to help right the wrongs perpetrated against her.

Although they might appear to be a mismatched couple at first, it quickly becomes apparent that James’ strong will, kind heart and innocent charm are the perfect foil to Brett’s self-assured, controlling and larger-than-life demeanor, and she brings out the tenderhearted lover in him. Their partnership is strengthened and their connection is deepened as they work together to save her career, and Signed is a cinematically breathtaking, epic romance that is provocative, addictive and sexy as sin.

L.J. Shen writes compelling antiheroes, and she’s delivered one of her sexiest and most wicked in Midnight Blue — Alex Winslow. He’s a surly, newly sober addict and an uncontrollable rock star, and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. When Indigo Bellamy is hired as his sober companion, he’s particularly obnoxious to her with the hope that his behavior will drive her to quit, but she took the job in order to support her financially strapped family and isn’t going anywhere, no matter how much of a jerk Alex might be.

When they hit the road for a worldwide tour, attraction sparks between them, and every combative interaction is infused with potent sexual tension. Their push-and-pull is utterly captivating as they form a tentative, yet profound, emotional connection while in a situation that continually teeters on the edge of chaos. Alex’s transformation from an irredeemable bad boy is complicated and memorable, and his and Indigo’s happily-ever-after is well fought, well-deserved and deeply satisfying. Midnight Blue is overflowing with raw passion, bittersweet angst and poignant romance with an enigmatic, tortured rocker, who is the type of unlikely hero that readers love to hate.

Mary Dubé can be found reading when she’s not teaching spinning, crunching numbers, volunteering or hovering over her teenager. She is always looking to add to her keeper shelf. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.